Dachra
an ABDELHAMID BOUCHNAK picture
Synopsis
Based on true events, DACHRA evokes our primitive fears of witchcraft and cannibalism.
Set against the backdrop of contemporary Tunisia, the feature revolves around female journalism student Yasmin and two male classmates who set out on an university assignment to solve the cold case of Mongia, a woman found mutilated 25 years ago and now imprisoned in an asylum, suspected of witchcraft.
As they pursue their investigation, the three friends stumble into the archaic and ominous world of Dachra, an isolated countryside compound filled with goats, silent women, mysterious drying meat and steaming pots, which is home to a cult.
When the cult’s jovial but menacing leader invites them to stay overnight, Yasmin is drawn into Dachra’s dark secrets and a desperate attempt to escape alive.
Trailer
Stills
Press
‘It’s a visually rich and moodily atmospheric film with a keen sense for the unsettling.’
SCREENDAILY
‘A true favorite.’
LA REPUBBLICA
‘We are proud to share the trailer for Bouchnak’s horror film with you, one of the first ever genre titles to come out of Tunisia and North Africa.’
SCREEN ANARCHY
"Abdelhamid Bouchnak’s debut Dachra stands out as a triumph. From its terrifying cold opening to its grisly ending, Dachra announces the arrival of a bold new voice in international genre cinema."
FILM INQUIRY
"The film’s pacing is another crucial contributor to its excellence. Bouchnak has a sharp sense of buildup, knowing precisely when to tease, when to stretch, and when to let all hell break loose."
Festivals
& Awards
Venice Critics' Week
Austin Film Fest
L'Etrange Film Festival
Göteborg Film Festival
Cairo International Film Festivalc
Kolkata International Film Festival
Splat Film Festival
Carthage Film Festival
Winter Film Awards (New York)
Panafrican Film and television Festival of Ouagadougou
Reykjavik Film Festival
Minneapolis Twin Cities Arab FF
Stockholm CinemAfrica Film Festival
Paris IMA
Malmo Arab FF
Tübingen Arab FF
Calgary Arab FF
Ann Arbor, Michigan Theater
Brussels Gallery
Cast & Crew
| Yasmine Dimassi | |
|---|---|
| Bilel Slatnia | |
| Hedi Majri | |
| Aziz Jbali | |
| Hela Ayed | |
| Bahri Rahali |
| Written, Directed and Produced by | Abdelhamid Bouchnak |
|---|---|
| Co-producer | Omar Ben Ali |
| Cinematographer | Hatem Nachi |
| Sound | Aymen Toumi |
| Sound Designer | Oussema Ayachi |
| Set Decoration | Fatma Madani |
| Costumes | Basma Dhaouadi |
| Makeup | Camelia Boujenfa |
| Music | Rached Hmaoui, Sami Ben Said |
Releases